As this two kid, two adult, one bedroom scenario plays out before me, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that love grows best in little houses, but lately it feels like perhaps little houses just make you want to flip the freak out. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say we are a sleep-deprived household relying heavily on coffee to get through this difficult stage.

Looking over the list of personal recipes I’ve been working on, it struck me how strongly my current fog has influenced what we eat. I’ve been intentionally keeping things on the healthy side, choosing energizing and immune-boosting ingredients to combat the effects of too few hours of sleep. Almost every item on that list is also fast and easy, with a particularly heavy hand of smoothies. Whether I’m blending up breakfast, lunch, or a snack, I always take a moment to scan the fridge and cupboard for add-ins to increase the nutritional value of my lazy meal. This method produced the superfood tropical smoothie, this chocolate tahini smoothie, and a refreshing green smoothie I’ll be posting soon.

I am equally thankful to coffee and my Vitamix for getting me through the day in good spirits.

Today’s recipe is the most dessert-like of the three but doesn’t leave me with the crash effects of a refined sugar good. This one is date-sweetened with rich coconut milk and nutty tahini. Raw cacao powder, cinnamon, and maca contribute a host of nutrients and give it a sophisticated bitterness and spice. If the amount of fat in the recipe doesn’t work for you or you’re just feeling something a little lighter, replace half the coconut milk with water.

Chocolate and Tahini Smoothie

handful of ice
2/3 c coconut milk
2 tbsp tahini
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1 Medjool date, pitted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp maca
cacao nibs, to garnish

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serve cold, topped with cacao nibs.

Serves 1